Director, Policy / Government Relations

Merck Gruppe - MSD Sharp & Dohme; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company is seeking a Director for Global Public Policy in Singapore to develop and execute policy strategies. The role requires a minimum of 10 years of government affairs experience, particularly within the Asia Pacific region. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and the ability to navigate complex political landscapes. This role offers an opportunity to influence healthcare policy and engage with government officials at various levels.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of international government affairs/advocacy experience.
• Knowledge of health systems across different market archetypes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute public policy strategies.
• Monitor and analyze the policy environment.
• Represent company policy positions with government leaders.

Skills

Adaptability

Communication

Leadership

Project Management

Policy Development

Public Health

Healthcare Policies

Government Relations

Patient Advocacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Health, or related field

Advanced degree (MPP, MPH/MSPH, MPA, MA/MS in Political Science, MBA) preferred

Job description

Job Description

• Join this business critical niche role, bring your entrepreneurial curiosity and learning spirit into a career of purpose, personal growth, and leadership.
• Be an integral part of the Global Public Policy Team and advance company policy and business objectives.

About the Team

Our Policy & Government Affairs team partners with government and policy organizations at local and national levels to address legislative and regulatory issues that enable discovery and development of innovative medicines, vaccines, and animal health products, while improving and protecting patient access to care.

Role Overview

The Director, Global Public Policy, Asia Pacific develops and executes global and regional policy strategies and advocacy plans that support business priorities. The role coordinates across Corporate Affairs functions and strengthens regional and market-level policy and advocacy capabilities. Reporting Reports to the Executive Director, Global Public Policy, Asia Pacific Hub, and coordinates with regional/global Communications, Therapeutic Policy, Social Impact & Sustainability, Patient Engagement, and Commercial teams. This role is based in Singapore. No relocation support provided.

What you will do:

• Develop and execute public policy strategies and mitigation plans with Global Public Policy teammates, Commercial leaders, and in-market teams across AP.
• Integrate Policy, Communications, Social Impact & Sustainability, and Patient Engagement into external affairs for business-critical priorities.
• Monitor and analyze the policy environment and regional political dynamics, including AP relationships with the U.S. and other key countries, and brief stakeholders on impacts to company’s regional and global objectives.
• Create and execute strategic stakeholder engagement plans to position the company as a thought leader with influencers and decision-makers.
• Prepare clear, timely briefing materials and presentations for senior leader engagements.
• Represent company policy positions with government leaders and key influencers in regional and local forums.
• Develop cohesive narratives that convey the economic and societal benefits of our work, including strategies linking Ministries of Health with Finance, Economy, and Trade.
• Leverage networks and build partnerships with the U.S. government, think tanks, and external experts to amplify advocacy.
• Maximize impact of engagement with trade associations and multilateral platforms (e.g., APEC).
• Build regional and market-level policy and advocacy capabilities; assess gaps and deliver capability-building aligned to business objectives.
• Contribute to quarterly and annual strategic planning and evaluation for Global Public Policy.

What should you have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science, or related field; advanced degree (MPP, MPH/MSPH, MPA, MA/MS in Political Science, MBA) preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of international government affairs/advocacy experience with demonstrated success before U.S. and foreign governments and/or in international health policy and advocacy (industry, government, NGO).
• Knowledge of health systems across different market archetypes; direct AP experience preferred.
• Experience providing strategic thought leadership and issue management to industry associations, think tanks, and advocacy organizations to shape policy.
• Proven ability to work in diverse, matrixed teams; influence without authority; drive toward a common agenda with clear actions.
• Broad, deep external network and AP experience across public and private sectors in healthcare.
• Experience building capabilities, influencing and upskilling leaders, and engaging effectively with peers and senior executives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to influence internal/external audiences and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to master complex policy, regulatory, and legislative issues; develop creative, innovative strategies.
• Strong project management; ability to manage competing priorities under time pressure.
• High ethical standards; ability to build strong internal and external relationships.
• Success working across culturally diverse, matrixed teams with high collaboration.
• Growth mindset with balance of expertise, agility, and curiosity.
• Fluent English (verbal and written); additional regional languages a plus.

Who we are:

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the frontier of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for:

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Animal Health Care, Communication, Communication Coordination, Compliance Support, EU Policy Making, Government Relations, Healthcare Policies, Health Sciences, Leadership, Multilateral Organizations, Noncommunicable Diseases, Patient Advocacy, Patient Engagement, Personal Initiative, Policy Development, Political Forums, Political Sciences, Project Management, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Health Research, Public Policies, Public Policy Evaluations plus 5 more.

Current Employees apply

Current Contingent Workers apply

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status: Regular

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Job Posting End Date: 12/27/2025

Job posting is effective until 11:59:59 PM on the day before the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply no later than the day before the end date.

Requisition ID: R375589